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A member of the heath family, the blueberry genus (Vaccinium spp.) consists of fruit-bearing shrubs and trees native to Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Species that are commonly cultivated commercially and in the home garden for their fruits include Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii). Less common varieties include sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) and Darrow's blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii). In the eastern United States, the cold-hardy lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is popular.

Rabbiteye Bluberry

Rabbiteye blueberry may grow up to 12 feet tall, showcasing an open, sparse habit, pink flowers and fruits that shift from reddish pink to powdery blue. A native of the southeastern United States, rabbiteye blueberry may be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 9, where it must have low pH soil in order to thrive. Fruit production is best in full sunlight, though rabbiteye blueberry is more shade tolerant than most berries. Cultivars include "Climax," "Bonita," "Woodward," "Southland" and "Bluebelle."

High Bush Blueberry

Like rabbiteye blueberry, high bush blueberry plants grow to a height of about 12 feet, producing an open habit, pinkish white blooms and dark bluish black fruits. The shrub has the smallest leaves of any of the blueberries, producing lime green, 1-inch-long leaves. The leaf margins are lined with tiny gland-tipped hairs. The shrub is suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 9, where it will grow in full sun or light shade. Cultivars include "Northblue," "Ozarkblue," "Patriot," "Spartan" and "Polaris."

Sparkleberry

Also known as farkleberry or tree huckleberry, sparkleberry may grow up to 30 feet tall, but is more likely to grow to a moderate height of about 10 feet. The shrub is notable for its flaky reddish bark, twisted limbs and prolific white blooms. Sparkleberry is grown primarily as a wildlife-attracting shrub or ornamental, as its black berries are edible, but not necessarily tasty. Sparkleberry is less common in nurseries than other blueberries that produce sweet fruits. Sparkleberry may be grown as a wildlife-attracting plant in shady areas in USDA zones 6 to 9.

Darrow's Blueberry

Darrow's blueberry is a low-growing colony-forming species that grows to a mature height of 2 to 4 feet, producing urn-shaped whitish pink flowers and small, sweet, bluish-black berries. It grows exclusively in USDA zones 8B to 9. When grown within its native range, Darrow's blueberry generally keeps its bluish green leaves year round, hence its alternative common name of "evergreen blueberry." Leaves may turn reddish in the winter.

About the Author

Michelle Wishhart is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since 2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener, Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years. Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.